Grants will provide independent physician
practices with funds to implement DHCS' Equity and Practice
Transformation Directed Payment Program
SACRAMENTO, Calif., Jan. 30,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Health Net, one of
California's most experienced
Medi-Cal managed care health plans and a wholly owned subsidiary of
Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC), announced $2 million in grants to 47 independent physician
practices throughout California.
Focused on increasing access to available funding from the
Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), the grants will remove
barriers that may limit physician practices' ability to take
advantage of the Equity and Practice Transformation (EPT) Provider
Direct Payment Program.
Independent physicians are a critical part of the healthcare
delivery system, dedicating their careers to serving some of the
state's most vulnerable residents. In their quest to provide
quality healthcare, they encounter numerous challenges, such as
securing sufficient staffing and resources. These are essential for
applying for and effectively using available funds, which would
enable them to undertake transformative activities in their
practice. The grants provided by Health Net will aid these
independent physician practices in their endeavors to keep pace
with the rapidly changing demands of the healthcare
industry.
Medicare and Medi-Cal President at Health Net, Martha Santana-Chin, stressed the importance of
supporting physicians to enhance outcomes and advance health
equity: "We recognize the critical contributions of these
physicians to our communities, and our collaboration with DHCS is
instrumental in enhancing physicians' capabilities, ensuring their
success."
The distribution of grants was based on successful acceptance
into the EPT program, with priority given to practices based
on their Healthy Places Index® score and the number of
interventions in their approved application. Recipients will use
the funds to improve their practices, including implementation of
electronic health records, care coordination, processes,
infrastructure, and technology to improve access.
Physicians for a Healthy California (PHC), formerly known as the
California Medical Association Foundation, has long supported
physician practices and is an important partner for Health Net.
Health Net provided grant application assistance, utilizing PHC
personnel to help bridge gaps for practices who needed additional
staff to apply for aid.
"We're honored to partner with Health Net on this vital program
aimed at empowering independent physician practices as they
implement the Department of Health Care Services Equity and
Practice Transformation Directed Payment Program," said President
& CEO at Physicians for a Healthy California, Lupe
Alonzo-Diaz. "Health Net's grant program will enable physicians to
overcome the barriers as they strive to provide the best possible
care for their communities."
"I applaud Health Net and Physicians for a Healthy California in
their strategic partnership to help physicians build sustainable
practices with the potential to improve health outcomes for our
most vulnerable residents," said Assembly member Tina McKinnor, District 61. "The importance of
their work cannot be understated. To ensure all Angelenos have
access to quality healthcare, we must support our physicians so
they can continue to serve and innovate."
Beyond the grants awarded, Health Net remains committed to
supporting quality improvements in independent physician practices.
As a trusted Medi-Cal partner in California, Health Net will continue
collaborating with DHCS to transform Medi-Cal and address the
state's evolving healthcare needs.
What Recipients are Saying
"With this funding from Health Net, we're enabled to strengthen
our operations, improve quality of care and close gaps on
disparities by increasing equity of care access and delivery for
the populations we serve," said pediatricians at Burbank Pediatric
Affiliates, Drs. Rashida Saifee
and Mariya Zakiuddin. "If not for
their assistance in the grant application process, we would not
have been able to take advantage of this opportunity to improve our
patient satisfaction and engagement. We are extremely thankful for
their support."
"This grant will help us make strides to better integrate
value-based systems of care across the entire continuum of care,"
said pediatrician at Dr. Toni Johnson-Chavis & Associates,
Dr. Toni Johnson-Chavis. "Thanks to
Health Net, we'll be able to greatly improve the level of care that
we provide to more than 10,000 newborns, adolescents and young
adults throughout the area of Compton."
About Health Net
Founded in California more than
40 years ago, Health Net believes that every person deserves a
safety net for their health, regardless of age, income, employment
status or current state of health. Today, we provide health plans
for individuals, families, businesses of every size and people who
qualify for Medi-Cal or Medicare. Together with our 90,000 network
providers, Health Net serves three million members across the
state. We also offer access to substance abuse programs, behavioral
health services, employee assistance programs and managed health
care products related to prescription drugs. We make these health
plans and services available through Health Net, LLC and its
subsidiaries: Health Net Life Insurance Company and Health Net
Community Solutions, Inc. These entities are wholly owned
subsidiaries of Centene Corporation, a leading healthcare
enterprise committed to helping people live healthier lives. Health
Net and Centene employ more than 6,300 people in California who work at one of five regional
Talent Hub offices. For more information, visit
www.HealthNet.com.
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SOURCE Health Net